Cigarette and cigar support



1940- v. A. HERR 2,210,291

CIGARETTE AND CIGAR SUPPORT Filed May 2, 1938 15/ F|G.i.

INVENTQR 'N ENT A. HERR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to cigarette and cigar supports, and more particularly to an ash receptacle and stand for use as a stationary holder or support for lighted cigars and cigarettes.

According to the more prevalent constructions. ash stands and ash trays are characterized by one or more grooved or channeled holding seats, for the reception, for example, of burning cigarettes, during the intervals when the cigarette is not being consumed. It is a common experience when a cigarette, for example, is deposited on such a heat-conducting surface, whether such surface consist of a flat or curved plane, that the continued burning along the zone of contact of the cigaretteresults in sweating of the cigarette as a result of the deposition on the supporting surface, of tarry substances and condensed volatiles from the tobacco and paper. This effect results in a disagreeable taste when the cigarette is relighted, and causes a noisome eiiiuvia, particularly unless the supporting surface is more or less regularly cleaned. The noted effect in the case of a cigarette is somewhat the same, except in degree, as that of a cigar or any other form of burning tobacco deposited on a relatively cool plane surface. Accordingly, for convenience and brevity, the devices embodying the present improvements will be referred to as utilized in connection with cigarettes, although to be understood as equally applicable to cigars. It is a major object of the invention to obviate the nauseating odor and unpleasant taste of sweated cigarettes, and to provide a cigarette rest which will not interfere with the free selfburning of the cigarette while supported on the improved seat or resting surface of the devices to be described.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved rest, tray, or holder for a cigarette or the like, which is so constructed as to prevent the cigarette from being casually displaced from the support, and similarly to minimize the hazard of casual or unintended personal contact with the burning cigarette located on the rest or holder.

Somewhat differently stated than the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an odorless, self-cleaning support for a cigarette, cigar or the like.

Yet another object of the invention is attained in a stationary holder or receptacle for burning cigarettes, which is excellently adapted for use on moving vehicles, as in automobiles, railway coaches, airplanes and the like, and so designed that the pitch, rolling movement, or vibrations of the vehicle, cannot dislodge the lighted cigarette from its place of deposit, the holder being further so designed that the cigarette is easily available to the smoker at all times.

The foregoing and numerous other objects 6 will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention, as considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a cigarette support formed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the device of Fig. 1, as viewed along line 2-2 thereof, Fig. 2 showing the arrangement as utilized with an ash lb receptacle or tray, which for clearness is omitted from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the receptacle shown by Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of a modified form of the device, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the modified arrangement shown by Fig. 4.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, there is shown by Fig. 1, an arrangement embodying a base Ill which may be formed of a cast metal, or, if desired, of a suit- 25 able plastic composition or the like, but which is preferably characterized by sufficient mass so as markedly to resistany upsetting or tipping effects, with obvious advantages. The base It is by preference, conical in form, particularly 30 when utilized with a circular tray or other subjacent receptacle II, as suggested by Fig. 2. When so employed, the matching receptacle is preferably provided with a circular center depression l2, the internal diameter of which is 3 only slightly in excess of the diameter of the base l0, so that'the latter easily interfits the tray recess. It will appear that the contour of the base results in an ash deflecting or ash shedding eiTect, tending to cause the major depositiori1 of ashes into the periphery of the tray or dis It is a preference to utilize as the primary support for the burning cigarette, for example, a coil wire structure indicated generally at l5, and formed of a series of connected, helically related turns of a very fine wire, coacting to form a tubular, open end receiver or holder for the cigarette. The gauge of the wire is somewhat exaggerated for clearness of structural showing, in each of the figures of the present drawing, but it may be noted as a preference to utilize a wire stock of between 24 gauge and 30 gauge, in each of the types of support herein described and shown. The ends of the wire support preferably terminate in, or are metallically united to a pair of oppositely disposed and oppositely pitched end rings shown at l6 and i1 respectively, a corresponding ring element l8 being disposed intermediately of the wire coil holder l5, and secured to one of the center turns thereof. The rings I6, I1 and I8 may, if desired, be formed of doubled turns of the wire, or if preferred, may each consist of a separate annulus, for example, of a relatively rigid wire, and of somewhat heavier stock than that constituting the helical coil 15 forming the tubular body. of the holder.

In the event the supporting rings l6, l1 and I8 are formed of a stock separate from that of the coiled stock of the body, the metal forming the rings may be extended downwardly of each thereof, to form associated vertical posts or supports 20, 2| and 22, the ends of the latter being embedded in the base It! and so permanently secured thereto, and provided with right angular or L-shaped ends, to enhance the anchorage of the posts in the base. In the event the coil structure I5 is formed of a single piece of wire, the posts 20, 2| and 22 may be metallically united or otherwise secured to the center and end turns of the coil.

It will have appeared from reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, that the arcuate longitudinal axis of the preferred showing, may be attained through determination of the relative lengths of posts 20, 2 I. and 22, for example, by utilizing a somewhat shorter support at 2|, than at the ends 20 and 22. This results in imparting to the arrangement of Fig. 2, a downward sweep or trend, from each end toward the center of the device, and a re-, sulting tubular, partly toroidal structure. Its proportions are preferably such that the length of the coil body l5, approximates at least twice the length of the average cigarette, so that, when desired, a cigarette may be inserted in either end, or cigarettes inserted at both ends simultaneously, and yet remain easily accessible to the smokers when desired. This central depression, with the relatively raised ends, further results in a distinct advantage in minimizing any tendency for a cigarette to be displaced as by vibration orvehicle movement, when the ararngement is so utilized. -It will appear as a distinct advantage that the burning cigarette when in position in the devices of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is or may be completely surrounded by the wire of the body, thus rendering it practically impossible for the cigarette to be accidentally or casually displaced from its seat in the bottom of one of the arms or legs of the coil l5.

In the modification shown by Figs. 4 and 5, there is preferably employed a base 25, and a plurality, for example three, outer supporting posts 26 and a center post 21, the posts being embedded in the base 25in a relation similar to that described between elements 20, 2| and 22, and the base III. In the modified showing of Figs. 4 and 5, the outer turn of a length of wire form ing an inverted conical receptacle is shown at 30, and the spiral body of this structure indicated generally at 3|. The spiral type of holder may be formed of a wire stock similar to that utilized in forming the coil wire structure I5 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In either case it is desirable to have the wire stock of an extremely small diameter, such that, as has been determined, the lighted cigarette resting thereon, will continue to burn freely and completely without noticeable deposit of condensates orpaper. In each form of the structure the spacing of the adjacent turns of wire is preferably such that the cigarette, or stub will not pass between the turns, yet the ash therefrom will fall freely through the intervening space into the tray below.

It is greatly preferred, as appears from Fig. 5, that the body of the holder, being the fine wire portion thereof, be substantially centrally depressed, so that when a burning cigarette is disposed therein, there will be but a minimum tendency to any casual displacement of the cigarette from the wire receptacle. It is a further preference, for economy in production, that the spirallyformed wire constituting the body of the member 3!, be initially formed to lie in a plane, the depressed aspect and resulting hollow structure of the body resulting from tensioning of its center portion, being at or near one end of the spiral, through the use of a relatively short center post 2 In the usage of the devices dmcribed, it will have appeared that the extremely fine wires expose a minimum surface area to the adjacent unburned portion of the cigar or cigarette, from which it results that air is free to circulate entirely around the burning materials, and thus the burning article is wholly reduced to ashes, which will drop freely through the coil of the wire bodies I5 or 3|, to the receptacle below. It has been found by experience that a skeleton grating or grille serving as a support for burning cigarettes, and of the general type described, serves practically completely to prevent the sweating effect and the deposition of tars, volatiles and the like from the tobacco, as well as to prevent the usual undesirable after-smoking odors in a confined enclosure, as in a room or vehicle interior.

Although the prevailing mode of utilization of the devices shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is through the endwise insertion of the article through the apertures of rings l6 and II, it will also be noted as possible to utilize the spaces between the wire turns of the body l5, as holders for cigarettes and the like, inserted transversely between the adjacent turns or coils. In either manner of usage of the coil wire body, the exceedingly reduced area of contact of the wire with the buming substance enables the cigarette completely to consume itself to ashes, which thereafter fall completely through and between the wires into the receptacle therebelow, all without any objectionable deposit of noisome products resulting from slow combustion or condensation. From the latter fact it results as an advantage of the devices described, that only a minimum cleaning problem is involved.

It will have appeared that the devices heretofore referred to in detail as constituting examples of the invention, are to be understood as merely illustrative, and that the invention may be utilized in numerous other forms without departing from its full intended spirit and scope, as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. A receptacle for a lighted cigar or cigarette, including a primary support or seat structure consisting of a coil of wire characterized by a substantial number of turns closely spaced about an axis, holding elements engaging spaced turns of the wire coil, and so connected thereto in different planes as to depress an intermediate portion of the coil relative to an outer portion thereof, whereby the coil presents a hollowed aspect, the wire of the coil being of a reduced gauge such as to permit a cigarette supported thereby, completely to burn out while resting on the seat structure, and a relatively heavy base structure of molded material in which said holding elements are anchored, one 01' the holding elements being under tension between the base and coil, so as to maintain the hollowed aspect of the coil.

2. A tubular, partly toroidal coil of fine wire adapted as a support for a burning cigarette or the like, and mounting means associated therewith, such that the coil is dipped inwardly of each of its ends toward an intermediate zone.

3. A holder for a burning cigarette or the like, including a relatively massive base element, a wire coil constituting a primary support of the cigarette, supporting studs or posts projecting from the base and engaging the coil, the coil being characterized by substantially. annular reinforcements at its points of connection to said supports.

4. A tubular, partly toroidal coil of wire of a diameter between 24 and 30 gauge, the coil being adapted as a support for a burning cigarette or the like, and mounting means associated therewith, such that the coil is dipped inwardly of each of its ends toward an intermediate zone, the coil being supported or anchored in a plurality of spaced zones along its length and provided with an annular reinforcement in each of said zones, the annular reinforcements being engaged by said mounting means.

5. A tubular, partly toroidal coil of fine wire adapted as a support for a burning cigarette or the like, and mounting means associated therewith, such that the coil is dipped inwardly of each of its ends toward an intermediate zone, the coil being of a diameter to receive and completely surround a burning cigarette, and of a length to receive the cigarette substantially over its full length.

6: The combination and arrangement of elements as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that the ends of the coil are open and are 

